CREC members filled the main hall at the Payne County Expo Center in Stillwater and spilled into an adjacent room. The Byron Berline Band, from Guthrie, entertained attendees before the meeting, while the Oklahoma State University Air Force ROTC color guard opened the business meeting with the presentation of the United States flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board Secretary-Treasurer James Williams reported on the cooperative’s excellent financial condition and Chairman Len Tontz described how CREC is controlling costs and creating value for its members. 

 CEO David Swank reported how CREC employees and trustees are working to ensure the sustainability of the cooperative business model, and how the cooperative is a member-first organization.

“We truly appreciate your time and investment as member-owners of this cooperative,” Swank said. “Our mission is reliable service and affordable rates, and that is one of the greatest challenges we face in terms of environmental regulation and the future cost of power.” 

Swank explained that to maintain the high standards of service and affordability that members expect and deserve, CREC must continue the process of Building a Culture of Excellence, “which is imbedded in everything we do,” he said.

The members also voted to approve a bylaw amendment introducing term limits for cooperative board trustees. Trustees are now limited to serving no more than three, four-year terms. 

In a break from tradition, a meal was not served during the meeting. Each voting member present was given a $20 restaurant gift card redeemable at one of 56 restaurants located throughout CREC’s service area. Members will also receive a $10 discount off their June electric bill for attending. The board of trustees chose to eliminate serving a meal during the meeting to allow for attendance by a larger crowd and to reduce the overall cost of the meeting.